The education industry has come a long way in the last decade. There has been a considerable shift towards digitalization and automation of processes, including assessments. Online assessments have gained popularity due to their numerous benefits. Universities have started to recognize this trend and have incorporated online assessments into their education process.
Online
exams have become the preferred mode of assessment for businesses,
institutions, and universities worldwide. The shift from manual to online
assessments has several advantages. Universities that are still debating
whether to adopt online assessments should consider the following guide to make
an informed decision.
Advantages of Online Assessments
Scalability
Online assessments allow universities to scale their assessments with ease. With pen and paper tests, a limited number of students can take the exam at a time, whereas, with online assessments, multiple students can take the exam at the same time.
Time-Saving
Online assessments cut down the time taken for the examination process significantly. Once the exams have been conducted, the automated assessment results are immediately generated, reducing the time taken to grade, store, and handle results records.
Enhanced Analysis
Owing to advancements in technological innovation, online assessments are more detailed than traditional exams in terms of gathering student information, demographic data, and other student analytics data. This provides an opportunity for universities to analyse trends and areas of improvement professionally, possibly improving the quality of exams imposed.
Creating Assessments Using Quality Exam Software
There are numerous exam software available in the market, but not all of them offer the same features to create and deliver online assessments. To run exams online with quality exam software, it's important to know the features you need. Some essential characteristics of high-quality exam software include:
Security
Your exam software must have an excellent security protocol implemented that ensures information integrity and keeps data confidential through encryption.
Customization
Exam software should be easily customized to fit your university's brand and academic institution standards without difficulty.
Automated Grading
Quality exam software should provide automated grading to eliminate manual data entry and validation errors.
Item Analysis
Your exam software must provide item analysis at the question, section, or test level to help identify areas where the test may need improvement.
Choosing the Best Online Assessment Software for Your University
When choosing the right online assessment software, conducting extensive research will play a crucial role. Here’s a checklist of what to consider to help you make the right decision.
Compatibility
The software should be compatible with as many operating systems as possible, including phones, laptops, and tablets. It would also be perfect if the software could store data in different file formats like Excel, CSV, and PDF.
Accessibility
Online assessments should be easily accessible across multiple devices to allow flexibility for students. The software should also reflect your academic brand identity and provide easy access to support and technical assistance.
Customer Support
Responsive customer support is key when utilizing online exam software. Ensure that you choose a provider who will help you promote user adoption and assist with any challenges you face.
Value for Money
Don't settle for just any software because it meets your budget. Instead, understand the business value the software brings and the impact it'll have on your institution's bottom line in the long run.
In Summary
Online assessments are revolutionizing the campus educational experience. Universities must choose quality exam software that is compatible with their institution, provides security, accessibility, and customization, has automated grading, and provides in-depth analysis for effective assessments.
With the right provider, online assessments can be conducted efficiently, accurately, and in high volumes with the added benefit of improving overall student learning processes. By choosing the right assessment provider, your university can adapt and benefit from this technological shift with ease, keeping up with the evolving times, and creating a better academic experience for both faculty and students.
